Published: Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 3:38 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 3:38 p.m.

Throughout the preseason, the Wilmington Hammerheads have insisted the ir 2013 squad can surpass last year's team, which lost in the USL Pro championship game 1-0 at Charleston.

A year ago, the Hammerheads finished 10-7-7 with 37 points before a strong postseason run. That regular-season inconsistency led to seeking out what they consider is an upgrade in talent.

This year, after a month of training and 6-1-1 exhibition record, the Hammerheads are anxious to put those new players on display in the regular-season opener with Antigua Barracuda FC at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Legion Stadium.

"I think we have a little more flair and speed,'' veteran Hammerheads coach David Irving said. "But the proof is in the pudding.''

He is mindful of the game's ups and downs and has to look no further than last year, when the team went 8-1-3 at home, but finished 2-6-4 on the road.

"It is a difficult league to win on the road, but we have a different group than last year,'' Irving said.

Roster tested early

In the next-to-last preseason game, the team suffered a setback when forward Cody Arnoux suffered a strained hamstring, sidelining him several games in April, perhaps early May.

Arnoux, the former New Hanover High School standout, had a fabulous preseason, including a hat trick in a victory over Elon.

Without Arnoux and Daniel Roberts, out for at least six weeks with a torn hamstring, the Hammerheads' depth and skill will be tested early.

"Cody's injury is one you cannot mess with it,'' Irving said. "To get it to heal properly, I'd rather have him off two or three weeks than come back too soon and tear it and he is out for the season. It is disappointing because he looked very sharp and ready to go.''

Despite the injuries, Heaney has a good feeling about the season and he bases part of the optimism on better team chemistry.

"We also have a lot of bigger guys this year, so we will be a lot tougher,'' Heaney said.

Irving cited overall speed, especially with defenders. He believes the team is quicker at the back end and will play at a better pace.

"That was an area I felt needed to be addressed, but using that speed and pace and athleticism the right way is key in getting the right results,'' Irving said.

Defender Gareth Evans, back for his third season in Wilmington, mentioned forwards Richard Isberner and Kyle Greig and defender Jamel Wallace among difference makers.

"We have a deeper and better squad this year,'' said Evans, in his third season with the Hammerheads. "We have so many back-to-back games, we are going to need everyone on this team.''

Starting from the back

Despite not taking the field yet, the Hammerheads already are playing catch up. Along with Dayton, they are the only teams in the league to have not played yet. Antigua is 0-1, while four teams already have played at least three games.

To even things out, the Hammerheads play four games in the next 14 days, including two games in three days beginning April 26 at the Los Angeles Blues (3-1, 9 points) and April 28 at the first-year Phoenix FC Wolves (1-3).

"It is important to get off a good start,'' Heaney said. "Hopefully we can be one game better at the end of the year than we were last year.''

Midfielder Paul Nicholson, another returning player, shares similar hopes, but with a different viewpoint.

"What will help us is we have more versatility with our depth,'' he said.

"There are a lot of players who can play various positions. Some can play two or three or four positions. That ought to help us be better on the road.''

"It is a good group of players on the bench and they can play different positions. And I think there is not much difference between the starters and the bench.''

<p>Throughout the preseason, the <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9944"><b>Wilmington Hammerheads</b></a> have insisted the ir 2013 squad can surpass last year's team, which lost in the USL Pro championship game 1-0 at Charleston.</p><p>A year ago, the Hammerheads finished 10-7-7 with 37 points before a strong postseason run. That regular-season inconsistency led to seeking out what they consider is an upgrade in talent.</p><p>This year, after a month of training and 6-1-1 exhibition record, the Hammerheads are anxious to put those new players on display in the regular-season opener with Antigua Barracuda FC at 7:30 p.m. Friday at <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9931"><b>Legion Stadium</b></a>.</p><p>"I think we have a little more flair and speed,'' veteran Hammerheads coach David Irving said. "But the proof is in the pudding.''</p><p>He is mindful of the game's ups and downs and has to look no further than last year, when the team went 8-1-3 at home, but finished 2-6-4 on the road.</p><p>"It is a difficult league to win on the road, but we have a different group than last year,'' Irving said.</p><p>Roster tested early</p><p>In the next-to-last preseason game, the team suffered a setback when forward Cody Arnoux suffered a strained hamstring, sidelining him several games in April, perhaps early May.</p><p>Arnoux, the former New Hanover High School standout, had a fabulous preseason, including a hat trick in a victory over Elon.</p><p>"He looked so sharp,'' teammate Will Heaney said. "He was magnificent.''</p><p>Without Arnoux and Daniel Roberts, out for at least six weeks with a torn hamstring, the Hammerheads' depth and skill will be tested early.</p><p>"Cody's injury is one you cannot mess with it,'' Irving said. "To get it to heal properly, I'd rather have him off two or three weeks than come back too soon and tear it and he is out for the season. It is disappointing because he looked very sharp and ready to go.''</p><p>Despite the injuries, Heaney has a good feeling about the season and he bases part of the optimism on better team chemistry.</p><p>"We also have a lot of bigger guys this year, so we will be a lot tougher,'' Heaney said.</p><p>Irving cited overall speed, especially with defenders. He believes the team is quicker at the back end and will play at a better pace.</p><p>"That was an area I felt needed to be addressed, but using that speed and pace and athleticism the right way is key in getting the right results,'' Irving said.</p><p>Defender Gareth Evans, back for his third season in Wilmington, mentioned forwards Richard Isberner and Kyle Greig and defender Jamel Wallace among difference makers.</p><p>"We have a deeper and better squad this year,'' said Evans, in his third season with the Hammerheads. "We have so many back-to-back games, we are going to need everyone on this team.''</p><p>Starting from the back</p><p>Despite not taking the field yet, the Hammerheads already are playing catch up. Along with Dayton, they are the only teams in the league to have not played yet. Antigua is 0-1, while four teams already have played at least three games.</p><p>To even things out, the Hammerheads play four games in the next 14 days, including two games in three days beginning April 26 at the Los Angeles Blues (3-1, 9 points) and April 28 at the first-year Phoenix FC Wolves (1-3).</p><p>"It is important to get off a good start,'' Heaney said. "Hopefully we can be one game better at the end of the year than we were last year.'' </p><p>Midfielder Paul Nicholson, another returning player, shares similar hopes, but with a different viewpoint.</p><p>"What will help us is we have more versatility with our depth,'' he said.</p><p>"There are a lot of players who can play various positions. Some can play two or three or four positions. That ought to help us be better on the road.''</p><p>"It is a good group of players on the bench and they can play different positions. And I think there is not much difference between the starters and the bench.''</p><p><i></p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic16"><b>Chuck Carree</b></a>: 343-2262</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @StarNewsSports</i></p>